News

Bren Spillane recipient of the 2018 “Passion for the Game” Award

Dec 6, 2018 11:22 AM

John Sarna

Chicago Scouts Association to present the award on January 12th, 2019 at Sam & Harry’s in Schaumburg, IL.

Chicago, IL, December 6, 2018 – The Chicago Scouts Association is pleased to announce Brenden (Bren) Spillane as the 2018 recipient of the Charlie Donovan Memorial “Passion for the Game” Award. The award, which is sponsored by the Chicago Scouts Association, is given to an individual who has exhibited passion for their craft within the game or business of baseball.

A native of Wheeling, IL, Bren was drafted in the 3rd round (82nd overall) this past June out of the University of Illinois by the Cincinnati Reds. Completed his first professional season this summer with the Billings Mustangs. Tom Barnard, Athletic Barn founder and long-time mentor to Bren said, “Bren Spillane represents the love and passion for the game as Charlie did. I have known Bren a long time. He carries Charlie’s soul with him every day he plays”.

Bren suffered a profound loss during his junior year of high school, his father, Patrick Spillane passed away from a long fought battle with cancer. During that same season Bren ruptured the UCL in his right elbow that required Tommy John surgery. A string of injuries continued during his first two years at Illinois, but healthy and excited for the season his offense exploded in his third year with the Illini. He was the Big Ten regular season Triple Crown winner hitting .407, smashing 22 home runs, and knocking in 57 RBI. Those numbers alone were enough to earn him Big Ten player of the year honors, but when you throw in the fact that he also led the Big Ten in slugging (.944), OBP (.512), OPS (1.456) and total bases (153) you realize the unmatched offensive production Bren produced this season. He was midseason player of the year winner for both D1baseball.com and Perfect Game/Rawlings and the first player in conference history to win Big Ten player of the week three straight weeks. It is that perseverance through adversity that makes Bren an outstanding recipient of the “Passion for the Game” award.

The award is a custom design and the creation of Trophyology, designer of handcrafted, custom, heirloom-quality awards and trophies.

The mission of the Chicago Scouts Association is to perpulate the sport of baseball within the Chicago land area, to enhance the community spirit and to provide for the well-being of our youth through positive and supportive endeavors.